Dining up and down University Avenue

With the street all torn up for light rail construction all the way from the capitol in St. Paul into Minneapolis, DH and I resolved to support the local businesses by dining at a University Avenue establishment at least once a week, and taking friends along with us for a bigger impact.

What are your favorite places along University Avenue, and are there any tricks to getting through the construction to get to them?

I'll start by mentioning Caffe Biaggio, whose front door is closed off by chain link fencing, as apparently most businesses will be eventually (or at least access will be severely limited). Best way to get to Biaggio is to get on Raymond Avenue north of University, head south on Raymond until you cross University, turn left at the first opportunity after you're across University, go the end of the building, then turn left again and you're in Biaggio's parking lot with their side door at the far end of the building.

Count me in. Cheng Heng and Saigon will be my lunch stops every week. This construction is going to kill many business. Cheng Heng Chicken Soup works on my wife's colds, and it is very good, so lets keep it open.

We used to be huge Cheng Heng fans, but the last time we went the food was completely different. We ordered the same things we always do and they barely resembled what we used to get and we didn't like it as much. We haven't been back.

The owners go back to Cambodia every so often and while they are gone the food is different. Last week it was as good as ever. Support the Avenue where ever it is you go. Times are going to get tougher for business on University.

I generally do so anyway, as I work near there. Insofar as the whole purpose of LTR, in the grand scheme of things, is to yield yet another Crave location in a mixed-condo type deal, it seems futile to resist progress.

On the other hand, I will be eating at Hoa Bien, Ngon, Bangkok Thai Deli, Big Daddy's, Black Sea. Sole Cafe and Asian Deli with some frequency, and will do my best to report on the remainder.

Just had dinner at Mai Village (I know, but it's a family favorite). I would be more than happy to rotate among any of the following (alphabetical): Cheng Heng, Hickory Hut (not the best 'que in St. Paul but great Art Song's wings and a pretty decent deal), Hoa Bien, and Ngon.